Changes in technology bring bullies homeMany people grew up with images of — or were forced to encounter — bullies taking lunch money at school or stuffing less fortunate children into lockers. But as technology has changed, so have bullies. Using computers and smartphones, today’s bullies are harassing and threatening other teens online via text messaging and social networking sites, a phenomenon called cyberbullying that has been linked to a growing number of teen suicides in rece...

Member of LR Nine to offer Black History Month keynote at TechErnest Green, one of nine African-American students who integrated Little Rock Central High School in 1957, will offer the keynote address for 2014 Black History Month events at Arkansas Tech University. Green will speak in Witherspoon Auditorium at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 25. The event is sponsored by the Arkansas Tech Office of Student Services, the Arkansas Tech College of Arts and Humanities and the Arkansas Tech Department of History and ...

News Briefs (Jan. 25, 2014)Pope County issues temporary burn ban Pope County Judge Jim Ed Gibson has issued a burn ban effective Friday. Pope County officials stated that because of the extremely high fire danger at this time, a temporary burn ban is necessary. The ban will be lifted when conditions improve. The city of Pottsville has also issued a burn ban. Yell County issues temporary burn ban Yell County has issued a burn ban until further notice effective Friday. Du...

Organization flourishes under new leadershipWhen Ed Seay took over as Help Network's executive director in late 2009, the organization was close to shutting its doors. "In 2010, we were forced to cut costs in order to continue operating," Seay said. Help Network provided $56,000 in financial assistance to clients in 2009, and its operating costs made up 47 percent of its budget. Under Seay's direction, the organization cut operating costs to 33 percent of the budget in 2010 and to less ...

Coalition finalizes planned eventsThe River Valley Prevention Coalition (RVPC) finalized plans for several upcoming events during its regular meeting Tuesday. Tonya Gosnell, community education manager at Turning Point, told RVPC that 18 walkers have already signed up for the Out of the Darkness suicide prevention walk on April 12. Gosnell said the online teams have raised $800 and walk organizers have received $1,350 from sponsors. "The focus right now is on getting more spon...

Teen accounts for 52 percent of volunteer hoursLast year, 24 volunteers worked 1,552 hours for the Pope County Library System. Of the hours worked by all volunteers, 52 percent — 809.25 hours — were put in by Sierra McClure. McClure, 16, volunteered mostly in the young adult (YA) program under the direction of Teen and Adult Librarian Sherry Simpson. "It's fun as well as giving you a lot of experience," McClure said of volunteering. "I had free time and knew they needed help. I like to do ...

Commission follows up on fraudThe Pope County Election Commission voted last week to take action against suspected voter fraud. The commission decided to have Election Coordinator Sherry Polsgrove type up a sample letter that would be sent to voters suspected of committing voter fraud. The sample letter will be sent to Tim Humphries, general counsel for the Secretary of State, in Little Rock for approval. If Humphries approves the letter, it will be sent to voters the comm...

ARVAC program supports elderly, disabledA local nonprofit is working to help the elderly and disabled live with confidence. In an effort to help the elderly or disabled maintain an independent lifestyle and protect them from being taken advantage of, the Arkansas River Valley Area Council (ARVAC) offers a Social Security representative payee program. The program allows the individual to have confidence and self-assurance that their monthly bills will be paid properly and on time eac...

Search for missing man continues The Pope County sheriff said Saturday the search continues for a 6-foot-4 man who has been missing since Sunday morning, Jan. 12. Aaron DuVall said family members of Michael Shane Caldwell came to his office Thursday to report him missing. A family spokesman reported in a release that Caldwell has two tattoos, one on his right shoulder (TCC) and another over his heart (ACC). DuVall said he was told Caldwell was wearing a red sweater and blue j...

Pope County Sheriff announces retirementPope County Sheriff Aaron DuVall announced on Friday his plans to retire at the end of the year. A statement issued by DuVall said he would serve out the rest of this term, ending on Dec. 31, but would not seek re-election. DuVall has served at the Pope County Sheriff’s Office since April 1983, when he began as a deputy. He served under sheriffs Jim Bolin and Jay Winters, working his way up to patrol supervisor, gaining experience in the admin...

News Briefs (Jan. 18, 2014)Overbey appointed by Gov. Beebe Gov. Mike Beebe on Thursday announced the re-appointment of George Overbey of Lamar to the Central Interstate Low-Level Radioactive Waste Commission. The appointment expires Sept. 29, 2015. Dardanelle Class of 1964 meeting The Dardanelle Class of 1964 will meet at 6 p.m. today at Old South Restaurant. All former students from Dardanelle are invited to attend. For more information, contact John Bearden 970-8896 o...

Danville teachers accept challengeDANVILLE — Several teachers in the Danville School District took brave measures over the past couple of months to try to enhance teaching. An Instructional Support Team — consisting of Randy Isely, curriculum administrator; Jenni Phomsithi, instructional technology facilitator and Tara Sanders, math facilitator — extended an instructional challenge to the district’s teaching staff. Ten teachers volunteered to accept the challenge and filmed th...

Local scout Nufer earns top honorAfter years of hard work and dedication, Russellville High School senior Austin Nufer was awarded the prestigious Eagle Scout rank. Nufer, 17, received the designation Dec. 26 following completion of a capstone project earlier that month. Each Eagle Scout is required to complete a service project as part of the requirements for achieving the Scouts’ top rank. After his initial idea of working with the homeless fell through due to privacy conce...

Church Briefs (Jan. 17, 2014)Pastors to celebrate 20 years Pastor Humphrey and his family will celebrate 20 years pastoring at Scottsville Assembly of God. The church is excited to celebrate this event on Sunday in the morning service. The special speaker will be the Rev. Larry Moore and a potluck lunch will follow the service. Pastor Humphrey and his wife, Marylou, have been the pastors for 20 years this month. They have seen lots of changes in the church since they came...

News Briefs (Jan. 17, 2014)All-Region Band concerts Saturday Russellville High School will host the Region 9 All-Region Junior High and Senior High Band Clinic on the High School Campus and at the Center for the Arts today and Saturday. Students from across the region will be assembled into two junior high All-Region bands and two high school All-Region bands. The students will participate in a two-day clinic concluding with concerts Saturday afternoon. Guest clinicians...

Library branches see jump in visitorsThe Pope County Library System's director had good news for the board during its regular meeting Wednesday. Director Shawn Pierce told the board that visits to branches of the Pope County Library System are "up significantly." Branch visits are up 240 percent from this time last year, she said. Pierce attributed the increase in part to new businesses, noting a daycare that opened next to the Dover Library. "We've been blessed that way," she sa...

Commission prepares for special electionThe Pope County Election Commission is gearing up for Dover School Board's special election next month. During its Thursday meeting, the commission approved using three of the new electronic poll books on Election Day, Feb. 11. "When you have to start something new, I think you should start it as quickly as possible," Chairperson Catherine Leapheart said. The commission voted to have nine poll workers — five Democrats and four Republicans — on...

Softball organizers request funds for tournamentsAs softball season approaches, the Russellville Advertising and Promotion Commission considered several funding requests for tournaments. During Tuesday's meeting, commissioners were presented with a mini-grant proposal from Russellville's Recreation and Parks Commission as well as four mini-grant requests from tournament organizer Don Nichols. The Recreation and Parks Commission requested $1,999 to offset expenses related to electrical use fo...

City eyes committee for capital projectsRussellville Mayor Bill Eaton has proposed the creation of a Capital Projects Committee to oversee city improvements. In a proposal submitted by Eaton, the purpose of the committee would be “to review, assess and finalize all major capital improvement projects of the City of Russellville.” Eaton presented aldermen a memo during the Jan. 7 agenda preparation meeting detailing the purpose for the committee meetings. “The meeting, a Project Updat...

3 sites identified for aquatic centerThe Russellville Recreation and Parks Commission has identified three potential sites for construction of an indoor aquatic center. During the commission’s meeting on Tuesday, Little Rock-based ETC Engineers presented a qualitative analysis of seven potential sites. From those seven, three sites were chosen to receive a more in-depth analysis. Commission chair J.W. Stratton said sites were narrowed down by consensus after discussion among comm...